Recovery of valuable metals from copper slag by hydrometallurgy

A novel hydrometallurgical method was developed to recycle valuable metals of Si, Fe and Cu from copper slag. The leaching rates of 98%, 99% and 91% for SiO2, Fe and Cu, respectively, were obtained under optimized parameters: solid-to-liquid ratio is 1:10; concentration of hydrochloric acid is 35%; the reaction time is 2 hours and at 80-90 degrees C.